Understanding Liability for Injuries Suffered at a Workplace Gym

As the month of January comes to a close, most of the population has written off their New Year’s resolutions and are waiting until next year to make another attempt. If you are a part of the small community continuing with their goals, consider yourself ahead of the curve. Weight loss and achieving fitness goals rank high on the list of popular New Year’s resolutions, leaving many with the task of determining where to work out and how to find the time. Many employers accommodate healthy lifestyles by having an on-site gym with equipment available to employees wishing to exercise before or after work, or even on their lunch hour. Although these employers seem to be ahead of the curve, employees should be aware of the risks of injury when using these facilities.

Most people have been the member of a gym or fitness center at some point in their lives, whether their goal is to lose weight, prepare for an upcoming job, or rehabilitate from an injury. You want to focus on exercising and obtaining better health, and you are likely to jump directly into your exercises when using these facilities, and it is reasonable to assume that equipment meets safety standards.

Unfortunately, when safety standards are not followed correctly, serious injuries can occur. If you drop a dumbbell on your foot or utilize machinery incorrectly, you will probably realize that your injuries are your own fault. However, if the provided equipment is not properly maintained and cleaned, someone else may be liable for injuries that happen as a result.

The owners of a facility operating a gym have a duty of reasonable care to the patrons of the establishment, and this applies to equipment and facilities provided for employees. Whether a workplace gym is a fully-equipped facility or a spare room containing some basic equipment, the owners of the company are just as responsible for maintaining that equipment as they are the equipment necessary for their employees to complete their jobs safely.

Employers should be sure to perform routine maintenance on workout equipment and facilities. Common issues that can occur in workplace gyms include:

• Broken equipment
• Worn or misplaced mats
• Fraying ropes or wires
• Burned out lights
• Wet or cluttered floors or walkways

If you have sustained injuries while using the gym at your place of work, you might be owed compensation for your injuries, including the costs of medical bills and time missed from work. At Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., we understand the complications which can result from workplace injuries involving employer-provided fitness facilities, and we will aggressively defend your rights as we help you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Santa Clara County premises liability attorneys today at (408) 289-1417 to schedule your free, personalized consultation.

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